Family Focus

Davie Woman Provides New Home For Child

Her last romantic relationship had ended, and Paula Zlydaszyk was at a crossroads. At age 40, the Davie resident wanted a child.

"You know how some women say, 'My biological clock is ticking. I have to have a child.'?" she said. "For me, it was, I've lived my life and did all the crazy stuff. I was ready to settle down."

Not able to have a child biologically due to endometriosis, she researched a number of options before deciding to become a foster parent. Today, Zlydaszyk, 47, is the proud mother of 3-year-old Nya, who she adopted six months after welcoming her into her home.

"When she was placed in my arms, in my mind, she was going to be my forever child," she said.

Even today, this family of two may stand out at first glance. Nya is African American and Zlydaszyk is not. However, this hasn't hindered an unbreakable bond.

"Many agencies want the kids to stay with their ethnical background. I don't think they need to," she said. "... The biggest thing for me is thank God she has a godmother to do her hair because with an African American child, that is the most difficult task."

Carmen Hiraldo, foster care supervisor at Kids in Distress, made the call to Zlydaszyk.

"You see the unconditional love there," she said. "When I talked to her about Nya, her response was, 'I want to be a mommy to a baby that needs me. I don't care if the baby is blue.' "

Judging by Nya's infectious smile and playful nature, it's hard to believe she has been through so much. Since coming into Zlydaszyk's care at 3 months old, she has been to more than 300 doctors' appointments and had two hospital stays. She has battled pneumonia and been diagnosed with asthma. Zlydaszyk, who has worked full-time for 21 years at Home Depot, has been there every step of the way.

The good times have outweighed the bad. There are play dates on Sundays and annual trips to visit Zlydaszyk's family in New Jersey. During car rides, they play the "I love you" game to decide who loves the other more. It always ends in a tie.

Despite terminating her parental rights, the birth mother and her family also still play a role in Nya's life. Zlydaszyk takes her daughter to visit them on many occasions, even on holidays.

"This will be the second year we go for Thanksgiving," she said. "The birth mom lives with the grandmother. Her biological sister is there. We were there for Christmas, love them to death. They couldn't take care of any more children, which ended up as a blessing for me to have Nya in my life."

While November is National Adoption month, Kids in Distress sees children every day come through its doors who need a family and a home.

For more information, visit www.kidsindistress. org or call 954-390-7654.